Many US Parents Feeling Lonely, Burned Out Being a parent has been called one of the hardest jobs in the world. You might not get time off, or paid holidays, a lunch break — or a single "Thank you." And according to a new survey, US parents are finding it very difficult. Many said they feel lonely, burned out and in need of more support. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center asked parents about their experiences. About 62% of parents said they feel burned out by the responsibilities of parenting. And around two-thirds said they feel lonely or isolated because of the demands of parenthood. Almost four in 10 said they have no one to support them in their parenting, while almost 80% said they'd like to be able to connect with parents and other adults outside of work or at home. Kate Gawlik from Ohio State University — herself a parent of four children — researches parental burnout. She said it's not easy for parents to find support and to meet others when they're feeling vulnerable. But she encourages parents to "take the first step." She added that for parents, being able to talk to others in the same position can be very powerful and make them feel less lonely. This might mean finding out about groups for parents or adults, including play groups, book clubs or sports clubs, or arranging play dates with other kids. Some working parents have also found that working from home has made them feel more isolated and unable to share their experiences with other parents. For example, you don't get small talk when you're doing video calls, one parent said.